I've been experimenting with some different oil weights over the past 2months and I thought I would share what I discovered. First, relevant information about my setup setup...

b16a3
T3 Super 60
2 1/4" piping to intercooler
2 1/2" piping from intercooler
10psi daily, only running 6psi(internally gated) right now due to broken boost controller

Back in June I had been running Castrol Syntec Blend 10w30. No real complaints, but when it I did my first oil change (1k miles) it was much blacker than I had expected.

So after reading a little here on Honda-Tech I decided to step up to some Mobil1 15w50. A few people here swore by it so I decided to give it a shot. Well, I IMMEDIATELY noticed a change in my car. The turbo previously began to spool right at 2800rpms, full boost hit HARD at 4k. After switching to 15w50 the turbo did not begin spooling until around 3500rpms, full boost hitting at 4.5 not really as hard as I was accustomed to.

This might not sound like a huge deal, but for someone who uses their car everyday on the street, it really felt less fun. The one good thing I can say about the 15w50 is it made the transition into boost much smoother, but the car felt less powerful none the less. Also, it is important to note about 2weeks into the experiment I began to notice a oil-burning smell after boosting. I later discovered that the thick oil was backing up a little bit inside the turbo and being burned up during boost. NOT GOOD.

I decided it was time to change and my choice was Mobil1 10w30. The car was IMMEDIATELY back to it's old self. Spool dropped back down to 2800ish rpms and the fool boost once again hits hard right at 3800rpm. Also, no more oil burning smell after boosting.

I just thought this info was interesting and worth posting since oil weight isn't really something that most people think about when building their turbo setups. I was very surprised at the results. Im not recommending that everyone pick up some 10w30synthetic, just putting my own experiences out there.

 

10W 30 all the way. I tried this a couple of years ago and realized almost the same thing. Good wright up for the newbs anyway.

 

10w30

 

you are correct but what about the mobil-1 5w-30?

 

seems that a lot of the guys here are really big on Mobil1 oils...when talking to guys who race their cars and some rally teams they tell me that Mobil1 is shithouse, and basically only lasts one real hard run before burning out and becoming useless. I've only seen a couple of posts on here saying the same kind of thing though.

Anyway i use a 5w30, seems to be perfect

 

I didnt try 5w30, I heard it can be a little thin for used turbo's whos seals arent what they used to be.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SICKSOLVTEC-T &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I didnt try 5w30, I heard it can be a little thin for used turbo's whos seals arent what they used to be. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Is that 10w30 full synthetic? I though synthetic was bad for turbo. I've been running 5w30 Castrol Syntec, but I might try the Mobil1...

 

mobil 1 10w40 synthetic is what i run...great ****..

 

Sorry to bring this back from the dead but did you try 5w30? I have a brand new turbo...

Good info btw

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mort Goldman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry to bring this back from the dead but did you try 5w30? I have a brand new turbo...

Good info btw</TD></TR></TABLE>

LoL, I dont even have that car anymore but no, I didnt try 5w30, I hear 5w30 is a little too thin for used turbos who's seals may be questionable. Should be just fine on your new turbo tho........

 

mobile1 10w30 full synthetic &gt; *

 

interesting, I always ran 15w 50 mobile 1 and i always get that oil burning smell after a few weeks of use, do regular compression tests and leak downs and perfect and my turbo is brand new with proper oil pressure to the turbo too. I never even thought the oil of being the problem, next change i will try the 10w30 mobile 1 and see how that goes.

 

Valvoline synpower 20w50 here

 

So my question is... Is it worth running a thinner oil for a faster spooling turbo at the expense of possibly spinning a bearing? I run Redline 20w50 and though I agree with your arguement of how the car may feel less responsive running a thicker oil I feel alot safer knowing that my bearings and other reciprocating parts are floating on "safer" layer of oil. Just my .02

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdmvtec28 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So my question is... Is it worth running a thinner oil for a faster spooling turbo at the expense of possibly spinning a bearing? I run Redline 20w50 and though I agree with your arguement of how the car may feel less responsive running a thicker oil I feel alot safer knowing that my bearings and other reciprocating parts are floating on "safer" layer of oil. Just my .02</TD></TR></TABLE>

You have to look at more than just viscosity in order to determine whether or not it is a "safer" layer of oil. Viscosity is only part of the equation.

 

thus the "quotations" around the safer... it was meant to imply that it is not the only variable. IMO, it goes along way in terns if preventative maintenance.

 

My experiances where somewhat different. I started with mobile 1 10w 30 and it burned very quickly which did not like. I then tried 15w 50 mobile 1 and it was way ti thick. So I went to Catrol synthetic blend and my car runs so much smoother and burns almost no oil at all. I too drive my car daily.

00' Integra type R
t3/t67 turbo
Custom Mani
3" Dp
3" Exhaust